Luxembourg Minister calls on Dr Jitendra, discusses collaboration in Space sector

STATE TIMES NEWS Luxembourg Minister of Economy, SME, Energy & Tourism, Lex Delles calling on Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh at Kartavya Bhavan, New Delhi on Monday. NEW DELHI: Lex Delles, Minister of Economy, SME, Energy & Tourism, Government of Luxembourg, who is currently visiting India, on Monday called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences and Minister of State for the Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in the space sector and emerging technologies. The two sides proposed identifying concrete areas of collaboration in space, Artificial Intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced materials and life sciences, with a view to developing specific proposals ahead of Luxembourg's proposed State Visit to India in January 2027. Dr. Jitendra Singh said the strong foundation of India-Luxembourg relations provides a favourable basis for expanding cooperation into newer areas. He highlighted the existing space partnership, including the 2022 MoU on peaceful exploration and use of outer space, commercial satellite transponder leasing and the launch of two Luxembourg satellites aboard India's PSLV. Discussing India's expanding space ecosystem, Dr. Singh outlined opportunities for collaboration in Earth observation, communication transponders, satellite and subsystem development, launch services, ground stations and mission support. He also highlighted India's long-term ambition of establishing a space station by 2035 and undertaking a human landing on the Moon by 2040. AI and high-performance computing emerged as another key area, with discussions on India's expanding computing capacity and indigenous large language models and Luxembourg's plans for an AI-oriented high-performance computing facility. The two sides also explored cooperation under India's National Quantum Mission, particularly in quantum communication, computing and sensing, as well as biotechnology and life sciences, including potential collaboration with Luxembourg institutions in areas such as neurodegenerative and Alzheimer's diseases. Minister Lex Delles highlighted Luxembourg's growing engagement with India in space, satellite communications, AI, cybersecurity and high-performance computing, and stressed greater interaction between the two countries' government and private-sector ecosystems. The meeting also discussed preparations for the proposed State Visit of Luxembourg to India in January 2027.